Anglers, skipper missing near Pulau Bunting found safe

YAN: Six anglers together with a skipper who went missing after their fishing boat went adrift in waters west of Pulau Bunting here on Sunday were found safe and sound by fishermen about 2pm yesterday.

Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Northern Region Maritime director, First Maritime Admiral Rozali Mohd Said said all of them were found safe along with the boat about 30 nautical miles from where they were reported missing.

He said the boat’s engine had earlier experienced some kind of a problem.

“According to preliminary information, they had managed to repair the engine and were found by the fishermen while they were on their way back to Kuala Sala Jetty. They did not have enough fuel supply for the return journey and it was being sent to them. The boat is expected to reach the jetty at about 5pm,” he said.

The men involved in the incident were the skipper Kharulanuar Arshad, 39, and six anglers, Mohamad Ramli, 57, Muhd Salihin Ibrahim, 52, Mohd Nazri Abd Hamid, 46, Azmi Raif Mat Noh, 46, Jasni Daud, 45, and Thai Kean Onn, 49.

Meanwhile, Rozali said the people should not viral false news concerning victims of the lost fishing boat which could cause unnecessary anxiety to family members of the victims concerned.

“I call on the people not to viral false news. If the public wants to help, they can channel valid news to facilitate the search operations,” he said when approached at the Kuala Sala Jetty. — Bernama